Are you still using “hospital-grade” cleaners? Here’s why you should look at that further…

It’s that time of year again. That time when the temperature drops, you bring out the long sleeves, pants, and coats. That time when you may notice more sniffles and coughs in your home. That time when you really should be disinfecting your home. But is bringing out the bleach or hospital-grade cleaner to scrub every surface actually going to work? Is it actually going to kill the germs that are spreading to every member of your household, and even spreading outside your home? If it is, what else is it doing for your health? If it isn’t, what’s the point of doing it anyway?

Let’s take a closer look…

1. Bleach (in any form or mixture):

Here is a short list of researched and documented issues caused by bleach:

Headaches

Skin burns

Vomiting

Respiratory issues, asthma

Cardiovascular issues

Gastrointestinal issues

Liver disease

Kidney disease

Damage to the nervous system

Cancer and other cellular diseases

Can be used in conjunction with ammonia to create a poisonous gas

Corrosive to the eyes and skin

Sure, we’ve been told that bleach kills bacteria and mold, haven’t we? But do we know how this happens? Or even at what expense? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “the exact mechanism at which it destroys microorganisms has not been elucidated.” So, I ask you, if it’s not clear how it may or may not be killing an organism, why exactly are you putting your health at risk with the known risk factors associated with it?

2. “Hospital-Grade” Cleaners

The CDC separates into three categories:

High-level disinfection: Kills all organisms, except bacteria spores. Includes chemical germicide as a sterilant. Not for household or commercial use.

Intermediate-level disinfection: Kills most bacteria and viruses.

Low-level disinfection: Kills some bacteria and viruses. Used as hospital cleaners.

The “hospital-grade” cleaners you’re using fall under the low-level disinfection category for the CDC. So, those “hospital-grade” cleaners you’re using that claim to kill everything actually do not do that at all. This misleading assumption is causing the further spread of germs and disease. Should we blame poor advertising for this? No, I don’t feel that’s a solution. I do feel that we shouldn’t just keep doing what we may have always been doing, or what our Mom’s or Grandma’s have always used to clean. Unfortunately, something I have learned over the years is that most people are resistant to trying something new, even if the research shows that it’s beneficial.

Some people also don’t want to use a cleaning product because they don’t feel it’s “approved” by the CDC. Well, I have good news for those of you who may feel that way. The CDC allows anything the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approves.

3. Plant-based cleaners:

Plant-based cleaners, meaning those made with essential oils, are more effective at killing the bacteria an viruses than bleach or other labeled “hospital-grade” cleaners. They’re also a lot less expensive for your wallet to make a cleaner that is good for your health and will last for years as opposed to the requirement to throw those other cleaners out when they expire, or lose their “effectiveness” after just 3 months!

Wouldn’t you just love to have a cleaner that you can use and rest assured that the germs are gone and you don’t have to worry about additional health risks to yourself, your family, your kids, your pets, or anything at all?

I LOVE that idea!

Here are just a few research articles/abstracts on studies being done to use essential oils to kill off some seriously scary resistant microbes and pathogens. If you have found research on your own, please share in the comments!